This article was written by Lola Boyd.
The crowd’s anticipation during the final waiting minutes was tangible. Anticipation for the three-brother pop band AJR’s arrival on stage, awaiting the moment when the lights dimmed and the opening song, filled the arena. Fans were cheering and clapping, building up the energy before the concert began. It made the atmosphere even more electrifying. This exhilarating feeling was present throughout the entire venue at AJR’s concert.
AJR, an indie and electronic pop band, has something for everybody with the entertainment they provide at shows. Currently, the band is circling America on their “The Maybe Man Tour.” This show is a captivating journey through multiple albums which enthralls fans with upbeat tunes and the relatable theme of navigating through life.
I attended this show on April 14, 2024, at the Van Andel Arena. Compared to previous concerts I’ve attended throughout my life, none of them chalked up to AJR’s performance. Between AJR’s visuals, stage presence, and interaction with the crowd, the experience of this show was phenomenal. I highly suggest any indie-pop lover check out this utterly stunning performance.
AJR opened the show with “Maybe Man,” the title track of their latest album. The excitement from the crowd was felt a mile away when everyone exploded into fervent cheers. The arena’s combined elation practically vibrated the air itself. The basis of this euphoria-sparking opening performance involved a spotlight shining all across the stage, revealing different decoy actors who pretended to portray lead singer Jack Met. At the very end of the song, the lights switched on, revealing the real Met along with the rest of the band while the Met impostors dispersed from the stage.
I found this opening performance to be entertaining because of the unexpected components AJR added that made the show unique. While the other music artists I’ve seen simply stepped on stage and began their opening song, AJR added a teasing element of mystery, keeping you on the edge of your seat, trying to guess which of the actors was the lead singer. They did a spectacular job hooking the audience with this performance and hyping them up for the rest of the show.
I also was thrilled by how interactive AJR was with the crowd during the entirety of the show. Between Met singing “Happy Birthday” to a select few audience members to singing “World’s Smallest Violin” and “Steve’s Going to London” in the balcony seats, this band made sure they were as inclusive to their fans as possible and truly immersed them in the experience. Many fans felt a sense of connection with AJR and loved the thoughtful twist they added to their concert.
Chemistry, Biology and Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science teacher Charissa Kashian witnessed how much AJR connected with their audience members when she attended the concert.
“I think it was really cool how much [AJR] acknowledged their fans in the performance,” Kashian said. “It was one way to show that they’re not in their own little bubble, and they’re actually watching and listening and seeing how their fans are responding to them.”
Audience interaction was only a small portion of things lovable about the show. Witnessing the three brothers joke around and have fun with the crowd personally added to the enjoyment. A major part of the concert was the various visual elements. While AJR went through their setlist, poppy colors and striking images were displayed on the two layered screens behind them. Some of these images were even interactive. At one point, Met was “walking” on a raised platform behind one of the screens in a way that made him appear fused with the screen.
Freshman and long-time AJR fan Olivia Price accompanied me to the concert. Price admired the performance greatly, and praised the overall message conveyed by the AJR show.
“‘Be your biggest self…’ They were talking about how [not] being ashamed of yourself and to be the most ‘you’ you can be,” Price said. “I felt that was a really good message to share. The way that they shared it all was beautiful and creative and artistic.”
Met bridged the gap between the first and second sections of the finale by revealing an emotional personal journey of growth and loss. He spoke of the band’s beginnings and how they grew from being bullied in high school to selling out venues. His father encouraged him to keep moving forward despite all the hardships, which is why it was such a devastating blow when his father passed away. This speech was both an emotional and brilliant way to ascend to the concert’s climax. It had an exceptional heartfelt appeal that hooked me into the show prior to AJR wrapping up their final song.
Overall, AJR’s “The Maybe Man” show was a spectacular experience. The visual aspects were stunning in every way possible, all the way from the vivid flashing lights to the colorful displays on the screen. The songs on the setlist were nothing to scoff at, as AJR played all of their fan-favorite songs and an array of other well-loved songs, too.
“[AJR] had a really good list of songs; I was not disappointed with a single song that they chose to play,” Kashian said. “If anything, I wish there were more. If I could have made it a longer concert, I one-hundred percent would have.”
AJR is returning to Detroit, Michigan on June 30, where they will perform at the Little Caesars Arena. There are also various concerts taking place throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ohio during June and July, so if you are unable to attend the Detroit concert, you can always purchase tickets for these shows. I can guarantee that the experience will be worth every penny.